Carbon Emissions in Recreation Fishing Travelling. Case of Latvia

Abstract

Abstract The tourism industry holds high importance for the economy of Latvia; therefore, it is important to comply with the low-emission mobility strategy. The aim of this research is to investigate the CO2 emissions caused by a trip to Latvia’s Western coast at the Baltic Sea for recreational fishing in order to create information basis for intensifying the development of the specific tourism industry on a Baltic Sea states scope. In this research a hybrid (top-down and bottom up) and regression method was used for determination of CO2 emissions and interlinked relations. Research results: Altogether travelling forth and back to fishing destinations totalled 22 546 km, emitting 5.796 tCO2 emissions; vehicle occupation rates for vehicles vary – for car – 28.9 %, for motorhome – 50 %, for vans – 25 %. Renewal of car fleet to more fuel-economy vehicles would help comply with the CO2 95 g/km goal, would reduce the emissions by 684.49 kg, 847 kg and by 570.84 kg accordingly. The emission reduction per passenger with 60 % seat occupancy depend on the car CO2 emission ratio – 155 g/km, 147 g/km or 131 g/km, and would correspond to the cumulative effect of CO2 6.77 kg, 5.01 kg and 5.40 kg. Annual journey to fishing destinations per passenger, with 95 g/km emissions and 60 % vehicle occupancy rate with given registered CO2 emissions at 155 g/km, 147 g/km or 131 g/km: would produce CO2 297.7 kg, 322.7 kg and 280.2 kg accordingly. Use of seat-sharing of newer cars would allow for a reduction of emissions, specifically within Latvia’s Western coast of Baltic Sea recreation fishing area, where due to the scarce population, public transport is less available.